The Peru Gazette

12/1/25 – News release from Cadyville resident Patricia Barnett 

12/2/15≤ 8 a.m. – Barnett stated that 103 people had signed her petition in a 15-hour period. 

North Country residents are renewing and formalizing concerns that were raised during the public hearings but remain unresolved following the Planning Board’s November

18 approval of the proposed DHS/HSI facility at 284 Idaho Avenue. Residents have now initiated both a formal SEQRA Challenge and a public petition urging the Town of Plattsburgh Planning

Board to reopen the environmental review.

At its November 18 meeting, the Planning Board approved the site plan application despite significant public turnout and numerous questions about the project’s purpose, operational scope,

and potential community impacts. Shortly after the vote, Cadyville resident and law student Patricia B. Barnett submitted a formal SEQRA Challenge letter identifying substantial deficiencies

in the environmental review and inconsistencies in the project file.

Key Issues Identified in the SEQRA Challenge

• Contradictory statements about the facility’s purpose

Application materials, public hearing statements, and applicant responses conflict on whether the project includes detention functions, an HSI investigative office, or a non-detention administrative use. These discrepancies directly affect the scope and adequacy of the SEQRA review.

• Incomplete or contradictory information in the project record

Several documents appear inconsistent or incomplete, including undated applicant responses, conflicting descriptions of enforcement authority, and a holding cell described as “non-detention”

despite custodial language elsewhere in the record.

• Stormwater and engineering deficiencies

A technical review by Laberge Group identified multiple issues in the project’s stormwater management plan. Residents question how the project received a Negative Declaration under

SEQRA while these items remained outstanding.

Additional Community Concerns

• Community character and public safety considerations

Residents have concerns that increased ICE activity in local communities correlates with decreased crime reporting, heightened resident fear, and increased risk of impersonation by criminals posing as federal agents.

• Proximity to Plattsburgh International Airport

Given the well-documented nationwide risk of immigration enforcement misidentification — particularly near airports — residents have raised concerns about potential impacts on community

safety, travelers, and public trust.

Public Petition Launched

In response, residents have launched a public petition requesting that the Town reopen the SEQRA review, ensure a complete and accurate record, and require the applicant to address unresolved discrepancies before any further action.

The petition is available here: https://www.showup.news/community-petition

Residents from Plattsburgh and neighboring communities are encouraged to sign.

Call for Transparency and a Complete Review

“SEQRA requires a full, accurate, and transparent review of environmental and community impacts,” Barnett said. “When information is inconsistent or incomplete, the Town has a legal

obligation to resolve those issues before making a determination. The community deserves clarity, and the record deserves completeness.” Barnett also noted that she will submit additional written materials to supplement her SEQRA challenge should the Planning Board reopen the matter.

For more information: Email: patricia@barnettadvocacy.com